This is the official blog of the Nigeria-based Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a human rights organization which promotes, protects and projects the rights of Muslims. This group condemns terrorism and all acts of violence. Its motto is 'Dialogue, Not Violence'

We welcome the speech made today by President Jonathan of Nigeria. He wants Nigerians to have confidence in free elections. We congratulate Mr. President for choosing a tested team to handle Nigeria's 2011 elections and urge Nigerians to share in our optimism. Change can only be effected by Nigerians themselves and this is the time to begin to have faith. There can be no hope without faith.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Nigerian workers have since colonial days enjoyed Christmas bonus both in the public and private sectors. This has always been helpful as it puts smiles on workers faces during the Christmas season. It is also a mark of appreciation and a reward for hardwork. Boosting workers' purchasing power improves standard of living as well as their families' general welfare.

We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regard Christmas Bonus as sine qua non to high spirit among the proletariat and commend governments at both the federal and state levels as well as a large section of the private sector for being consistent with its payment.

Nonetheless, MURIC wishes to call attention to the need to create a level playing ground for workers of different religious backgrounds in the dispensation of such largesse. No matter what is shared out as incentive to workers, Christmas remains, essentially, a Christian festival. Dishing out largesse only during the festival of a particular religion is capable of depicting government and employers generally as being partisan.

Muslim workers lack this motivation during Salah. Christmas is therefore made glamorous whereas Salah does not enjoy this dividend. Salah period is rendered dull and Muslim workers have to fend for themselves. The idea of giving bonus to both Christian and Muslim workers during Christmas is narrow, ill-defined and parochial. It seeks to bury the identity of Muslim workers in the Christmas season. This must change if Nigeria is trully democratic.

MURIC is calling for parity in the way governments and other employers of labour favour Christmas at the expense of Salah. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.Since Christians and Muslims are all tax-payers and in the name of fairplay, MURIC urges employers of labour, particularly the federal and state governments, to share the bonus between the Christmas season and Id al-Kabir in such a way that Christians can receive their Christmas bonus during Christmas while Muslims collect Id al-Kabir bonus during Id al-Kabir.